File-This March 24, 2016, file photo shows Republican Presidential candidate U.S. Senator Ted Cruz making a stop at the Armory restaurant in downtown Janesville, Wis. Donald Trump is planning Tuesday to make his first campaign visit to Wisconsin, where the upcoming Republican presidential primary could mark a turning point in the unpredictable GOP race. But rival Cruz has gotten a jumpstart on the contest, racking up influential endorsements, campaigning in key regions and supported by bullish advertising campaign. (Anthony Wahl/The Janesville Gazette via AP)

Cruz is scheduled to speak April 9 at the Colorado Republican State Convention at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, where the party will elect 13 delegates to the national convention.

“Hearing from a presidential candidate in person will be extremely helpful to our state delegates in their deliberations,” said state GOP Chairman Steve House, who added: “we hope to see all three candidates in Colorado Springs.”

Rivals Donald Trump, the New York billionaire, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich also are considering attending the state convention.

Republicans will award 21 additional delegates at seven congressional district conventions — three each — scheduled Saturday through April 8. The remaining three delegates are party leaders, including House.

Without a binding straw poll vote, a significant number of Colorado’s delegation may head to the national Republican convention in Cleveland as unbound delegates.

But other state delegates vying to attend the national convention are choosing to pledge to a particular candidate — meaning Cruz and other candidates can compete to win a majority and claim victory in Colorado.

A preliminary analysis of the delegates who will attend the state convention shows a plurality are unpledged but more are pledging support to Cruz than rival Donald Trump, according to state party figures.

The final numbers showing which candidate is most popular among Colorado state delegates is expected by Tuesday.

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